MU workshop teaches how to increase revenue for small farms, food businesses
ST. PETERS, Mo. – University of Missouri Extension and the Missouri Agriculture, Food and Forestry Innovation Center offer a one-day workshop Saturday, Feb. 17, in St. Peters at the MU Extension Center in St. Charles County.
Enrollment open for Heroes to Hives beekeeping training
COLUMBIA, Mo. – Enrollment for Heroes to Hives Beekeeping Training Program is open through Feb. 28. Military veterans and their dependents are eligible to attend the free nine-month program by registering at www.heroestohives.com, says University of Missouri Extension health and safety specialist Karen Funkenbusch. She oversees the program’s Missouri chapter with MU Extension agronomist Travis Harper.
USDA Farm Service Agency to hold St. Louis producer listening session Jan. 24
ST. LOUIS, Mo. – The USDA’s new St. Louis Urban Farm Service Agency Service Center will host a listening session Wednesday, Jan. 24, in collaboration with the University of Missouri. The listening session includes in-person and virtual meeting opportunities. Both meetings will follow the same agenda.
MU Extension offers webinar series on fruit production
BOWLING GREEN, Mo. – University of Missouri Extension offers a six-part webinar series on the production of blackberries, blueberries, strawberries, grapes, elderberries and specialty berries. The classes will stream 6:30 to 8 p.m. on Tuesdays from Jan. 30 to March 5.
Specialty corn workshop offered in St. Joseph
ST. JOSEPH, Mo. – University of Missouri Extension will offer a one-day workshop Jan. 11 on specialty corn as part of the Great Plains Conference at Missouri Western State University in St. Joseph. The event is held the day before the Jan. 12-13 conference and requires separate registration.
Webinar offers tips on starting a vegetable garden
COLUMBIA, Mo. – University of Missouri Extension horticulturists are offering a five-session webinar on how to jump-start your vegetable garden. Zoom sessions run 6:30-8 p.m. Mondays in February and March.
MU Extension hosts White Oak, Whiskey & Wine webinars in January
COLUMBIA, Mo. – University of Missouri Extension will offer a noontime webinar series in January 2024 hosted by state forestry specialist Hank Stelzer. The four-part series, “White Oak, Whiskey & Wine,” covers the connection between white oak species and the wine and spirits industries, highlighting the crucial role Missouri woodland owners play in ensuring industry sustainability, Stelzer says. Topics:
MU Extension helps young fisherman make a difference
KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Thirteen-year-old Jack Murphy is out to make a difference in his Kansas City neighborhood. An avid fisherman and environmentalist, Murphy was just 10 when he began advocating to improve North Terrace Lake in Kansas City’s 1,800-acre Kessler Park. Three years later, his determination remains as fierce as ever. He wants the park cleaner and safer, for people and fish.
Tips and resources for the winter holiday season
However you celebrate these December weeks of light and gratitude — including Hannukah, Christmas and Kwanzaa — we have tips to share. Pull up a chair and start scrolling for our experts’ advice on safety, personal security, physical and mental well-being and more. Food safety
Leaving the leaves saves pollinators, other beneficial insects
KINGSTON, Mo. – The “Leave the Leaves” movement could just as easily be called “Save the Pollinators,” says University of Missouri Extension horticulture specialist Manoj Chhetri.
Lawrence County 4-H'ers raise funds for 14,892 Wreaths for Warriors
SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – The wreath that Payton, age 12, and Aria Duwe, 9, will lay on their great-grandfather’s grave is just one of thousands that Lawrence County 4-H’ers plan to leave at the Springfield National Cemetery during this year’s Wreaths for Warriors ceremony 11 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 16.
10 tips to bulletproof your beef operation
KIRKSVILLE, Mo. – Beef producers can use a window of profitability to make their farm business more bulletproof. University of Missouri Extension agricultural economist Joe Horner says successful beef producers can make small changes in three areas to make their farm less vulnerable to risks: plants, animals and business. Being good in just one of those three areas is not enough.
Online Master Gardener training begins Jan. 14
COLUMBIA, Mo. – Gardening is an activity with many rewards, says David Trinklein, state horticulture specialist for University of Missouri Extension. “One of them is the satisfaction of sharing your plant knowledge with others. The Extension Master Gardener program was initiated to do just that,” Trinklein said. Its motto, “helping others learn to grow,” emphasizes service to others as the program’s main objective, he said.
Harm reduction advice for safer holidays
COLUMBIA, Mo. – Use of legal and illegal substances sometimes increases during the holidays. It might be extra celebratory cocktails with friends or self-medication to deal with depression or stress. While there is no safe way to use any substance, health experts have developed an approach to help people engage with substances in safer ways, said Michelle McDowell, senior coordinator for University of Missouri Extension Community…
Beating the winter blahs at work
COLUMBIA, Mo. – Winter days are shorter, darker and colder. Holidays and their aftermath can add stress. This seasonal shift can leave employees more apt to hibernate than focus on work. And that can affect a business’s productivity and bottom line. Bryana Larimer, business trainer for the Missouri Training Institute, part of University of Missouri Extension, has a handful of tips to help your team beat the winter blahs:
Banish the holiday blues
MOBERLY, Mo. – Holidays can be some of the happiest times of the year, but they can also pose special challenges. “Having to plan or host events can be hard,” says Candace Rodman, a nutrition and health specialist with University of Missouri Extension in Randolph County. “For some people who aren’t close to their family personally or geographically, or for those who are grieving the loss or absence of loved ones, this season can…
Keep safety in mind when donating food
KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Donating to food pantries, food banks and soup kitchens this time of year is a way to reduce food waste and aid families in need. But be mindful of what you donate and who will eventually receive the donated items.
Cook and freeze now to avoid holiday stress
BUTLER, Mo. – One way to reduce holiday stress is to prepare some of the food ahead of time and freeze it. From casseroles to cookies, you can have a large portion of your holiday food ready before the actual day arrives.
Holiday food safety tips
KANSAS CITY, Mo. – If you’re hosting a holiday meal, make food safety a priority or you might end up with ungrateful guests. “Hosting a holiday meal often means having more people at the table, serving a wider variety of dishes and perhaps tackling some unfamiliar recipes. If you’re not careful, all those ingredients can add up to foodborne illness,” says Londa Nwadike, food safety specialist for University of Missouri Extension and…
Financial incentives available for climate-smart grazing in Missouri
COLUMBIA, Mo. – Missouri livestock producers may be eligible for new financial incentives for incorporating climate-smart grazing practices. Enrollment for currently available climate-smart grazing incentives runs through Jan. 31, 2024, says Rob Myers, director of University of Missouri’s Center for Regenerative Agriculture. It’s a great opportunity for more farmers to get support for regenerative grazing, Myers says. Missouri ranks…
Missouri farmers invited to apply for agroforestry incentive funds
COLUMBIA, Mo. – Eligible producers are invited to apply to the the Expanding Agroforestry Incentive Payment Program. Over five years, the program will pay producers $36 million to transform 30,000 acres spanning 30 states into agroforestry systems.
Training for pesticide applicators begins in January
COLUMBIA, Mo. – University of Missouri Extension offers recertification training for commercial pesticide applicators during eight days in January 2024, with follow-up days in February and March. Completing the online training classes recertifies licensed commercial pesticide applicators for three years, says Sam Polly, MU Extension Pesticide Safety Education Program coordinator.
University of Missouri showcased in national report on publicly engaged scholarship
COLUMBIA, Mo. – A new report from the Association of Public and Land-Grant Universities (APLU) highlights how the University of Missouri System pivoted to university-wide engagement to address Missouri’s grand challenges. “Modernizing Scholarship for the Public Good: An Action Framework for Public Research Universities” includes concrete actions that public research universities can take in eight key areas to support publicly engaged…
Midwest Crops Conference features speakers from four states
ST. JOSEPH, Mo. – Registration is open for the 2024 Midwest Crops Conference, Jan. 17-18, 2024, in St. Joseph. The annual event offers two days of updates from agricultural leaders, university extension specialists and industry experts from four states. University of Missouri Extension agricultural business specialist Denice Ferguson says Certified Crop Advisers can receive up to 15.5 continuing education credits for attending.
Feedstuff Finder: One-stop shop for Missouri buyers and sellers
COLUMBIA, Mo. – Farmers and ranchers have a new tool to find or list hay and co-product feedstuffs for sale: Feedstuff Finder, developed by University of Missouri Extension for individuals looking to buy or sell products.
Legacy gift for Osher@Mizzou
COLUMBIA, Mo. – The Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at the University of Missouri (Osher@Mizzou) has received its first legacy gift thanks to Sharon Kinden, who has included the organization in her estate plan.
Cut flower grower is keynote for conference in St. Joseph
ST. JOSEPH, Mo. – Making urban farms bloom will be one of the many topics at the 2024 Great Plains Growers Conference and trade show, Jan. 11-13 in St. Joseph, Missouri. Keynote speaker Karen “Mimo” Davis will share her 30-plus-year journey to becoming a year-round grower and seller of cut flowers in southside St. Louis. She speaks on “Finding Your Niche for Farming Over the Long Haul.”
Tips for busting holiday budget blues
COLUMBIA, Mo. – The holiday season is a good time to talk about family budgets and plan for next year, says Andrew Zumwalt, chair of the University of Missouri’s Personal Financial Planning program. Zumwalt says family gatherings are also an opportunity to talk with extended family members about budgets for holiday gift-giving. Discussion about dollar amounts for gifts can prevent financial stress and misunderstandings, he says.
Turkey tips: Buying and thawing
BUTLER, Mo. – Don’t get stuck with a turkey that’s too small for the feast or one that’s still frozen solid on Thanksgiving morning. Buying the right size turkey and planning for defrost time can prevent Thanksgiving Day disasters. “If you want to have leftovers after Thanksgiving, make sure you buy 1 pound of whole turkey per person,” said Tammy Roberts, nutrition specialist for University of Missouri Extension.
Missouri 4-H youths fall into fashion
COLUMBIA, Mo. – The Missouri 4-H State Fashion Revue, Oct. 14 on the University of Missouri campus in Columbia, drew 61 youth participants representing 25 counties across the state.Workshops were hosted by MU’s Textile and Apparel Management students and Collegiate 4-H members, said Megan Kershner, MU Extension 4-H clubs manager and awards coordinator.